Thill-coupling



(No Model.)

H. O. ROSE & T. J. THOMPSON.

THILL COUPLING.

No. 449,235. Patented Mar. 31, 1891.

Mifizemsev UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY O. ROSE AND THOMAS J. THOMPSON, OF LEADVILLE, COLORADO.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 4=49,235, dated March 31, 1891 Application filed August 4:, 1890.

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, HENRY 0. Rose and THoMAs J. THOMPSON, citizens of the United states, residing at Leadville, in the county of Lake and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thill- Oouplm gs and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. This invention relates to an improvement in chill-couplings; and the object sought to be accomplished is to produce a more strong, durable, and compact arrangement of parts than has hitherto been known, but at the same time to so construct and assemble the parts that the shafts can be readily and convenlently uncoupled when their detachment from the vehicle is desired.

A further obj ectis to arrange more eflicient anti-rattling devices than those heretofore used.

\Vith these ends in view our invention consists in certain peculiarities of construction and combinations of parts, more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of our complete arrangement, showing the parts in coupled adjustment; Fig. 2, a similar View showing the parts uncoupled; Fig. 3, a sec tional View taken through line w 00 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a detail of one of the locking-sleeves, and Fig. 5 a detail view of one of the drawlI'OIlS.

The reference-letter A indicates the clip by which the coupling-piece is secured to the axle, and B a thick cross-bar formed integral with said clip at the front side of the same, and from the opposite ends of this bar B extend the draw-irons O, which are also formed integral with the bar and clip and project parallel with each other, being connected at their lower portions by a cross-piece D, forming a shoulder (Z, as seen more clearly in Fig. 2. The outer ends of the draw-irons are made substantially circular, and from their inner adjacent faces extend circular projections or blocks E of less diameter than said draw-iron ends, and therefore leaving annular shoul- Serial No. 360,884. (No model.)

ders c on the inner faces of the latter. The circular boxes E are each provided with vertical recesses or depressions e, which open out of the top of said boxes, but do not extend back their full width to the inside surface of the draw-irons.

The cylindrical head F of the thill-iron G fits between the two boxes E, and the trunnions H, projecting from its opposite ends, are contained in the bottoms of the vertical recesses e at the center of said boxes, and these recesses thus form sockets or bearings for said trunnions. It will thus be seen that the thill-iron is free to turn,but is allowed no sidewise motion, and to prevent rattling of the parts and vertical movement of the trunnions small blocks of rubber I are introduced into the upper end of the recesses or grooves e, and are of such form that they fit snugly over the trunnions and come flush with the outside surface of the boxes. On the latter are fitted circular sleeves or rings I, having the same width as said boxes and fitting snugly up against the shoulders 0. These sleeves or bands are free to turn upon the boxes, and are provided with openings j, which are arranged to exactly register with the vertical recesses e, and do not extend entirely across the bands, but leave a connecting-strip 70. These sleeves are turned by means of ribs m, formed on their outside surfaces immediately back of the openings j, and these ribs are extended to form lugs 01, projecting over the curved surfaces of the drawirons and traveling around the same.

The operation of coupling and uncoupling will be apparent from the foregoing description and might be stated as follows: The loose sleeves J are turned until their openings j register with the vertical depressions e of the circular boxes E, and when brought to this position the lugs it will be fitting against the straight surfaces .of the draw-irons back of their circular heads, and thus will prevent farther backward movement of said sleeves. After the cylindrical head F of the thill-iron has been introduced between the blocks and sleeves and the trunnions H pushed down through the openings j and into their sockets e the anti-rattlers I are inserted and the sleeves turned over them, thus closing the recesses e and confining the trunnions therein.

The sleeves are carried around until the ribs or lugs 71. abut against the shoulderd, formed by the cross-bar D, when their openings j will be covered by the latter and entrance of dirt, &c., prevented. Vhen in this position it will be seen that the parts assume a compact adj ustment, and that accidental uncoupling is almost impossible, but that by turning back the sleeves the thill can be readily detached.

We provide an anti-rattler for insertion between the thill-iron head and the cross-bar B, connecting the rear ends of the draw-irons,

and it consists of arectangular block of rub:

. ber R, having thickened upper and lower jections formed by its thickened upper and lower edges inclose the bar B, and the central portion is kept snugly up against the inside face of the bar by the sleeves and thilliron head.

Having thus described our invention, What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a thin-coupling, the combination of the draw-irons, blocks or boxes projecting from theirinner adjacent faces and provided with open recesses or depressions, the thilliron arranged to fit between said boxes, trunnions on said thill-iron adapted to be contained in said recesses, and loose sleeves fitting over said boxes and provided with openings adapted to register with the recesses in the latter, and arranged to be turned to close said recesses, as set forth.

2. In a thill-coupling, the combination of the draw-irons, blocks projecting from the adjacent faces of the same and provided with open recesses, the thill-iron arranged to fit between said blocks, trunnions on said thilliron fitting in said recesses, loose sleeves arranged on said blocks and provided w1th openings to register with the recesses in the blocks, and limiting-lugs on said sleeves, which also serve as means for turning the latter, as set forth.

3. In a thill-coupling, the combination of the draw-irons, blocks projecting from the adjacent faces of the same and provided with open recesses, the, thill-ironvhaving 'trunnions fitting said recesses and finding bearings therein, rubber blocks in said recesses above the trunnions, and loose sleeves fitting over said blocks and provided with openings adapted to register with the recesses of the blocks, said sleeves arranged to be turned to close said recesses, as set forth.

4. In a thill-coupling, the combination of draw-irons connected by a suitable crossbar, projections from the adjacent faces of said draw-irons having recesses, a rubber block arranged to be inserted between said projections, and the cross-bar connecting the draw-irons, and being formed with thickened upper and lower edges projecting over the upper and lower surfaces of said crossbar, respectively, loose sleeves fitting on said projections from the draw-irons and bearing against said rubber block, and the thill-iron having trunnions, which find bearing in the recesses of said draw-iron projections, as set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY O. ROSE. THOMAS J. THOMPSON.

WVitnesses:

W. E. READ, J. S. MANLY. 

